Dear Parker, I love how you champion learning for learning’s sake.
I first read your work (The Courage to Teach) almost 25 years ago when I started working in higher education. Your words inspired me when I was just discovering my vocation and they nourish me now in my third decade. Thank you!
I've been saving this one to read when I can give it my full attention. I'm so glad I did. I feel the same way about learning, and I appreciate your reminder that it can be an antidote to despair. I've been working on an essay about AI in higher education, where I teach. It's taking me to some deep places I didn't expect. What you say here about writing as a path of discovery rings true. Thank you for sharing your wisdom so generously.
I was lucky enough to stumble upon Kirkridge and Clearness Circles during my last major catastrophe. We did a yearlong retreat based on that Mary Oliver poem. The first book I ever read by choice was The Once and Future King and I have carried it in my heart for some 40 years. Thank you for reminding me that learning is intrinsic to and paramount to fulling living. You are a gem.
I was born worried if water was going to stop coming out of the faucet…nothing has changed? What’s next? The next moment. A breath in, then out slowly through pursed lips, then another and another…and be glad for the 100 year old cottonwood that gives you shade on a hot humid corn sweating day in the Midwest…
I came to Substack for better information, specifically politics. I have learned a lot. Your paragraph the begins with the sentence "Our capacity to deal with political challenges depends heavily on what we pay attention to”, resonates deeply with me.
I recently, had a dark period fed by too much political reading and not enough attention to joy, life and gratitude. I came to that conclusion on my own, and my Substack diet in more dogs, poets, artists and learning.
Thank you for such a beautiful and inspiring invitation to embrace learning with the intention and passion of an “inner-life spelunker.” I just love that metaphor!
bravo!
Dear Parker, I love how you champion learning for learning’s sake.
I first read your work (The Courage to Teach) almost 25 years ago when I started working in higher education. Your words inspired me when I was just discovering my vocation and they nourish me now in my third decade. Thank you!
I've been saving this one to read when I can give it my full attention. I'm so glad I did. I feel the same way about learning, and I appreciate your reminder that it can be an antidote to despair. I've been working on an essay about AI in higher education, where I teach. It's taking me to some deep places I didn't expect. What you say here about writing as a path of discovery rings true. Thank you for sharing your wisdom so generously.
I was lucky enough to stumble upon Kirkridge and Clearness Circles during my last major catastrophe. We did a yearlong retreat based on that Mary Oliver poem. The first book I ever read by choice was The Once and Future King and I have carried it in my heart for some 40 years. Thank you for reminding me that learning is intrinsic to and paramount to fulling living. You are a gem.
I was born worried if water was going to stop coming out of the faucet…nothing has changed? What’s next? The next moment. A breath in, then out slowly through pursed lips, then another and another…and be glad for the 100 year old cottonwood that gives you shade on a hot humid corn sweating day in the Midwest…
It is good to be reminded that providing a witness to someone else is healing.
Thank as always for a post that deeply resonates. Yup, born baffled.
So grateful my friend Melissa lead me to this beautiful essay. Thank you for continuing to bestow such thoughtful gifts on us.
Brilliant!
Thank you, Mr. Palmer. Wise words again when we need it most.
Thank you, Parker. One of my favorite passages of all time.
I hope you're well. 💌
Beautiful post, thank you! It put words to much of what’s in my deepest heart. 💗
I came to Substack for better information, specifically politics. I have learned a lot. Your paragraph the begins with the sentence "Our capacity to deal with political challenges depends heavily on what we pay attention to”, resonates deeply with me.
I recently, had a dark period fed by too much political reading and not enough attention to joy, life and gratitude. I came to that conclusion on my own, and my Substack diet in more dogs, poets, artists and learning.
Thank you for continuing to speak words of light and hope into these dark times. We need your wisdom more than ever Parker. 🙏
Thank you for such a beautiful and inspiring invitation to embrace learning with the intention and passion of an “inner-life spelunker.” I just love that metaphor!
"inner-life spelunkers"! What a wonderful phrase.